MBE pensioner jailed over ‘prolific’ child abuse

Trevor Francis, aged 71, abused several children at St Margaret’s Children’s Home in Elie during the 1970s.

Francis, a railway station master at Aberdour for more than 20 years, was sentenced today at Dundee Sheriff Court to nine months in prison.

Francis’ offending was reported to police in October 2014 and was investigated by local officers from Fife Division, supported by trained officers from the National Child Abuse Investigation Unit who worked to trace and support Francis’ victims throughout the process.

He was found guilty by a jury at Dundee Sheriff Court on Thursday, March 30.

Francis was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2012 for services to the community.

Detective Chief Inspector John Anderson of Fife’s Public Protection Unit said: “Francis is a prolific offender who hid behind a mask of respectability in the Aberdour community.

“Thanks to the courage of his victims this veneer has been exposed and Francis has finally been held to account for his actions.

“I would like to thank the victims for their assistance to police during our investigation. They can now take comfort in knowing that their abuser will spend time within prison.

“Police Scotland is committed to investigating any and all reports of abuse, regardless of when the crimes occurred.

“I would strongly urge victims who have not yet reported crimes against them to police, to do so immediately so we can bring those responsible to justice.”

Francis, a qualified nurse, took over as a manager at the home in 1973 after twisted paedophile David Murphy was forced out of a job at the home after allegations were made against him that were never followed up by police.

He was finally jailed in 2002 for 15 years after admitting 14 charges of lewd and libidinous practices and behaviour and 16 charges of sodomy spanning 30 years of his work at St Margaret’s and at another home.

“His wife was at pains to tell you that her Trevor would never have acted like that.

“We are dealing with an intelligent, manipulative man who can turn on and off that predatory, violent behaviour.”

A jury of eight men and seven women took two and a half hours to find him guilty by majority of two offences of using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour towards young girls and three assaults.

One further lewd and libidinous charge and three assaults were found not proven.